For most, Focal needs no introduction. Since 1979, this French powerhouse has crafted everything from loudspeakers and studio monitors to high-end components for auto and marine audio. They’ve built one of the broadest and most respected lines in audio—but only jumped into headphones in the last decade. Since then, they’ve rapidly become industry leaders in both wired and wireless headphones, proving they can play just as hard on the head as on the home stereo.
With entry-level high-end starting around $500 and no real ceiling, their lineup spans from luxury loudspeakers to coveted headphones like the Utopia ($4995), Stellia ($2995), Clear MG ($1499), and Celestee ($999). Focal isn’t interested in budget gear—they’re here to dominate the premium space, and they’re doing it well.
A quick glance reveals these Focal headphones are like members of the same snooty French family—sharing interchangeable parts and that patented M-shaped dome diaphragm, though materials and magnets vary. All are full-sized and, let’s be honest, too large to haul around without looking like you’re wearing satellite dishes. The French must have finally heard the whispers, because when they created the Bathys Wireless, they shrunk the design to about three-quarters scale.
That wasn’t a one-off either—now we have the Hadenys, Azurys, and Lensys, plus a new Bathys MG lurking in the wings. This smaller French brigade mirrors their bigger siblings with open-back (Hadenys), closed-back (Azurys), and professional (Lensys) models—but all under $1000, because even the French know when to stop pushing your luck. As a Bathys owner myself, I couldn’t resist grabbing samples of the whole set.
Unboxing the Hadenys: Copper Chic and a Case That Actually Makes Sense
The Hadenys show up in a no-nonsense white book-fold box with a magnetic closure—because, apparently, some old-school charm is still in fashion. Inside, you get a color-matched, copper-brown zippered hard case that’s actually practical, not just a fancy dust collector. That copper theme runs deep: the divider, the 6-foot 3.5mm cable, the headband, pads, and a portion of the cups all share the same shade.
The case divider is smartly designed to keep those cups from rubbing each other raw, while a small pocket keeps your cable and 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter safe and scratch-free. Honestly, it’s the kind of thoughtful packaging you’d expect from a company that doesn’t sell plastic earbuds by the dozen.
Design & Build: Copper Toned Class Meets Practical Precision
The Hadenys are a study in muted sophistication — gray magnesium alloy gimbals, grills, and headband adjustors paired with a stainless steel headband tucked beneath two-tone brown padding. The top half sports a leather-like finish, while the underside is cloth, matching the cloth pads that snap in easily (and conveniently let you mix and match — try Azurys’ light blue pads on the Hadenys for a look only a true audiophile daredevil would love).
Centered on the cups is the signature large Focal logo, surrounded by rings of concentric ports: hexagonal on the Hadenys, setting them apart from the round ports on the Bathys, Azurys, and Lensys. Behind the grills, a cloth screen (same fabric as the pads and headband) keeps dust and debris out without choking the sound.
Weighing in just over 10 ounces (294 grams), these cans feel solid and well-crafted — not likely to buckle unless you’re auditioning them as a doorstop. Plus, a generous 3-year parts and labor warranty means Focal isn’t just selling headphones, they’re selling peace of mind.
Cable & Driver Tech: Simple Plug, Serious Sound
The Hadenys use a straightforward 3.5mm TRS cable that plugs into the bottom of the left earcup. While I would’ve preferred a locking connector for added security, the fit is snug enough that it’s unlikely to come loose during normal use. On the downside, this design isn’t exactly friendly to aftermarket cables or balanced setups — so if you’re itching for upgrades, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and get a bit crafty.
Inside each cup sits a 40mm Aluminum/Magnesium M-shaped dome driver, angled slightly rearward. With a nominal impedance of 26Ω and a sensitivity of 100dB/mW, the Hadenys are easy to drive and work well with a broad range of source devices. What’s really interesting here is that the Hadenys share this exact driver with the Bathys — giving you a rare chance to hear the same hardware without the Bathys’ electronic DSP, in an open-back format. It’s the first real peek at how Focal’s processing tweaks the sound signature, since the Bathys’ DSP can’t be bypassed.
Focal Hadenys Comfort and Build Quality
Thanks to their featherweight build, memory foam padding, and open-weave fabric, the Hadenys are surprisingly comfy—no sweaty ears or a roasted scalp here. The clamping force is just right, snug enough to keep them put even if you’re dashing through the streets—or dramatically pacing your study like some tortured poet. Glasses wearers, rejoice: no pinching or pressure on the bows, even after a couple of hours of use.
Now, with the smaller frame and cup size, you might fret about ear cramps. Relax. The ear holes are still a generous 2.5” high by 1.5” wide, and while your ears might make light contact with the pads, it’s more a polite French “bonjour” than a rude shove. Comfortably cozy, with none of that “let me suffer in silence” nonsense.
Listening Notes: Open-Back Freedom Meets Practical Drivability
The Hadenys, being open-backed, aren’t exactly your pocket-friendly subway companions, but their easy drivability means they pair well with portable gear when you’re on the move. I put them through their paces with a mix of desktop rigs like the RME ADI-2 RS F BL and the Drop/Xduoo TA-84, plus portable players such as the Activo P1 and Cayin N3pro.
I deliberately kept the sources budget-friendly—because who’s really going to blow $2,500 on a DAP just to power a $499 headphone? Sensible pairing matters, and the Hadenys handled it with aplomb, proving they don’t need a luxury rig to shine.
Bass: More Meat on the Bone Than Your Typical Open-Back
The Hadenys will catch a few folks off guard with a low-end heft not usually found in open-back headphones. While there’s a gentle roll-off below 20Hz, the sub-bass delivers solid rumble—though texture is a bit on the light side. Think Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro depth and quantity, just not quite as finely detailed.
As the frequencies climb, texture tightens up and details sharpen. Mid-bass brings decent texture but carries a touch more weight and thickness than your typical reference tuning, peaking around 70Hz before gradually tapering off toward the lower mids. If you want slam and rumble without sacrificing that airy, open-back vibe, the Hadenys have you covered.
Midrange: Slightly Recessed but Friendly Enough for Long Sessions
The mids sit a bit back in the mix, with male vocals carrying decent weight and cutting through the instruments, though they take a respectful step behind female vocals. Guitars growl just right—edgy without turning into an assault. Detail retrieval is solid, but don’t expect the fine nuance found in Focal’s pricier siblings.
The upside? This tuning is forgiving and fatigue-resistant, perfect for marathon listening. The downside? Some subtle details get softened in the process. An upper-mid lift pushes higher vocals forward, which occasionally tips into nasal territory on hotter recordings. No sibilance issues here, but a few tracks did sound a bit pinched—likely more the recording’s fault than the Hadenys’ tuning.
Treble: A Touch of Snap, Hold the Sparkle
The Hadenys’ treble kicks off with a brief lift in the lower treble that adds just enough energy to give percussion some satisfying snap. But that peak fades fast, settling into a more subdued range that complements the headphone’s overall relaxed and warm demeanor.
Cymbals come across with clarity but are noticeably light on shimmer, leaving them sounding a bit flat and less lively than some might hope. There’s enough treble presence to avoid any sense of claustrophobia or veil, but those chasing air and sparkle up top may find the Hadenys playing it a little too safe.
Soundstage: Open-Back in Name, Closed-Back in Stature
Much like the bass performance, the soundstage of the Hadenys doesn’t exactly play by open-back rules. While the dimensions are balanced front-to-back and side-to-side, they lean toward the more intimate side—more akin to a well-tuned closed-back than the sprawling, airy expanse one might expect.
Instrument separation is decent, but not razor-sharp; orchestral layering can feel a bit compressed, with some instruments nudging into each other’s space. That said, spatial cues are still well executed—sounds move around the stage with purpose, and their positions are easy to localize, even if the venue feels more like a cozy jazz club than a grand concert hall.
The Bottom Line: A Warmer Focal Flavor with Surprising Bass—Bonjour, Hadenys
The Focal Hadenys came in with a few surprises up its copper-toned sleeves. Warmer and more V-shaped than you’d expect from an open-back headphone in this price range, it delivers more low-end punch and sub-bass rumble than its open construction implies. If anything, it leans more closed-back in the lows, while retaining the air and resolution you’d expect from an open design through the mids and highs. It’s a fun, laid-back tuning that favors everyday listenability over hyper-analysis.
The V-shaped signature rolls off at both extremes, lending the Hadenys a polite and slightly relaxed demeanor—more espresso and croissant than triple espresso shot. Its forgiving nature and respectable detail make it an easy pick for long, casual sessions whether at a desk or on the go (if you’re okay with sound leakage). Like the Azurys, the Hadenys shares a lot of parts and tech—including the same 40mm Aluminum/Magnesium driver found in the Bathys—but trades the Azurys’ brighter, punchier closed-back focus for warmth and a broader, more ambient presentation.
Performance with portable gear is another feather in its très chic cap. At 26Ω and 100dB/mW sensitivity, the Hadenys is easy to drive and works beautifully with just about any dongle DAC or DAP. Even something as modest as the Cayin RU6 or Activo P1 can coax out its musicality, though higher-quality sources do yield slightly better clarity and bass definition. Still, there’s no need to sell your car to enjoy these—something not always true in the Focal ecosystem.
At $495 with a 3-year warranty and Focal’s signature build quality, the Hadenys is a strong entry in the brand’s expanding headphone lineup. It’s a tonal departure from the more aggressive Azurys, but one that hits a sweet spot for listeners who prefer their audiophile experience with a hint of comfort food.
Pros:
- Surprising bass impact for an open-back
- Relaxed, polite tuning ideal for long listening sessions
- Strong value when on sale at Amazon
- 3-year warranty adds peace of mind
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
Cons:
- Soundstage is more compact than expected from an open-back
- No balanced cable option without DIY workaround
- Limited color options and non-locking cable design may deter modders
For more information: focal.com
Where to buy:
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- Podcast: The Focal Revolution: How A French Hi-Fi Manufacturer Is Revolutionizing Your Music Listening Experience
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